> The answer is YES! In early OM60x engines MANY timing covers were > stripped when tightened down. I can't tell you if it was carelessness > (not using a torque wrench) or that the cover (its been revised at least > once - maybe more) really was inadequate.
I was using the torque wrench, but don't think I reached much more than 40-50 Lb/Ft. before it started feeling "scary". > Dave M. has had the cover fail (really messy) and has pictures to prove > it. Replacement of the timing cover is a BIG job (8-10 hours flat rate > time as I recall). I have seen the threads strip. Later models should > not be as vulnerable (I have NOT heard of NEARLY as many tensioner arm > failures of any sort in '90s cars as with the assemblies in mid '80s cars) > > Marshall I remember Dave's ordeal -- Guess I was hoping that the '90 model would have been improved already. Have there been any reports of successfully replacing the bearings in the lever arm?? -- OK Don, KD5NRO Norman, OK '90 300D, '87 300SDL, '81 240D, '78 450SLC The FSM created the Diesel Benz http://www.venganza.org/